Until this class I’d never noticed how many stairs I climb every day: establishments with doors that aren’t level to the sidewalk; my own apartment, which is a walk-up (a short walk-up, but still). Post-workout, just the sight of an out-of-service escalator was enough to trigger a visceral groan. Basically I’m saying that after Pound, your quads, hamstrings, and glutes will make you painfully aware of anything above a toe-tap.

I know ’tis the season for generosity and joy, but I have always been a bit jealous. You see, Asian cuisines are my absolute favorite, and the thought that so many of my Jewish friends are enjoying Moo Shu, steamed dumplings and lo mein on Christmas night is only made bearable by the annual opportunity to feast on Beef Wellington, a crown roast, or pheasants draped in bacon.

December 17th

As the lights dim, the three couples await the results after three rounds of competition. The three judges have already had their say, using their paddles to score each performance and joking about the contestants' costumes. More than five weeks of practice led to this moment. This is not an episode of “Dancing with the Stars” but “Dancing with the Scholars,” the William O. Lockridge Community Foundation's (WOLCF) annual fundraiser and tribute to its namesake.

Jessica Tacka grew up in the Pittsburgh suburbs with a huge Italian contingent representing her mom’s side of the family. “Most people refer to their second or third cousins – in my family, they were all just cousins.” While Tacka understands Italian, she’s excited to try to learn to speak this “gentle, floral language.”